Our bodies produce lactic acid when we perform any kind of exercise. As the body demand for energy increases the production of lactic acid increases as well. Until not very long ago, lactic acid had a negative connotation attached to it. But the truth is that lactic acid is a beneficial process that guarantees fuel to your muscles when needed.
Muscles produce this acid during exercise from glucose, and it is burned to release energy.
Up until the late 70′s lactic acid was perceived as a the reason why athletes reached a point where they were fatigued. Dr. George A. Brooks was the first to point out that lactic acid was more of a myth than a fact, and he even went as far as to prove that lactic acid is in fact a fuel!
If you have a personal trainer, chances are you have heard him/her talk about lactic acid. Next time, make sure that what he or she says is accurate. Believe it or not there are many trainers who will tell you that lactic acid is a bad thing. I guess it takes some time for a change in mentality to take place.
More info: Wikipedia, The New York Times.
